A small node already connected and powered is easier to use than equipment that has to be unpacked before every trip.
Ready when people need it
Small LoRa nodes with Bluetooth let phones and laptops connect to the network. We began leaving more of these nodes permanently installed, including wiring them into vehicles.
That removes several steps from each use. There is no separate device to find, charge and remember to bring. The node is already there, and the user connects from their phone or laptop.
More access points
We now take a more-is-more approach to these inexpensive nodes. Putting them where people spend time makes access more convenient. As people had less equipment to handle, they used the network more often.
LoRa continues to serve these last-mile connections. Traffic between our network nodes is carried over HaLow links.